Paltrow said the change has made her "feel lighter and [her] emotions get smoother".

She added to Self magazine: "I had a lot of unexpressed anger. I made everyone else's feelings more important than my own. I'd suck it up and then be alone in my car yelling at traffic or fighting with hangers in my closet when they got stuck together."

However, Paltrow has said that she is now more upfront with her needs, which has taken some adjusting to for her spouse.

She said: "You're not learning anything unless you're having the difficult conversations. Dealing with things directly changed my relationships. Sometimes when you get clear about who you are, others get less comfortable because they liked who you were. It's changed my marriage, too, but he's up for the challenge."

The 40-year-old decided to cut out certain food groups when she suffered from anxiety while working a hectic schedule.

She explained: "I had to sing at awards shows, which was fun but stressful. I'd have a Guinness and a beta-blocker every time. I also was constantly getting on airplanes, trying to knock myself out with sleeping pills and wine, waking up, trying to sweat it out with exercise and a steam, and then working really hard all day. Eventually, I had a panic attack. My body was like, 'What is happening?'"

She continued: "I probably eat this way two or three times a year for three weeks at a time. Past that, I'm not willing to make the sacrifice. Life is about balance.

"It's good to work in healthy food, whether it's five days a week or five meals a week. And if you're going to do it, it should be awesome food you're psyched to make. But never cut out the brownies or the wine."

Now the star - who is close friends with Beyoncé and Cameron Diaz - relaxes in front of the TV with a drink and good company.

She divulged: "I watch Homeland or New Girl. I also like to have martinis with my girlfriends. I feel a sisterhood emerging around me. I'm less threatening now that I'm 40 and not 26-with-an-Oscar. There's a sense of love and support. I feel really lucky."

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Lana Del Rey wears diamond crocodile hair slides and a low-cut white gown at the 22nd German Music Echo Awards. The singer picked up Best International Newcomer and Best Rock/Pop Artist which was presented by Carla Bruni, model and wife of former French president Nicholas Sarkozy.
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